Leo Tolstoy’s Short Story: ‘My Dream’

The renowned Russian storyteller shows how forgiveness gives new life to the one who forgives.

A father gains wisdom through forgiveness. 4 PM productions/Shutterstock

In a world where wrongdoing thrives, the great writer Leo Tolstoy contends that forgiveness and mercy should prevail over bad behavior, for these qualities enable beauty and peace to shine forth with brilliance and hope.

In his short story “My Dream,” Tolstoy contemplates the healing power of forgiveness and mercy through the relationship between a father, Prince Michael Ivanovich, and his daughter, Lisochka, his beloved Lisa. When Lisa is found with her illegitimate child, Prince Michael cuts her off and refuses to see or forgive her.

A Hard Heart

Peter and Alexandra, Prince Michael’s brother and sister-in-law, visit him. They come to discuss Lisa, who had gone missing for a month but was recently found. In their discovery, they found Lisa with her illegitimate child.